The idea that a Palestinian state can lead to enduring peace in Israel has become a diplomatic obsession for Israeli and American policy makers. Ironically, it was former Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin who was in favor of territorial compromise but opposed a Palestinian state. Despite this, establishing such a state has become the equivalent of a “Messiah” that will bring the long awaited peace to the region. President Shimon Peres declared that there is a majority that supports a two state solution. Such a declaration shows that the President is not updated because a recent poll by Mina Tzemach proves just the opposite namely there is a solid majority in Israel against a Palestinian state.

The fact of the matter is that a Palestinian state would not only fail to bring peace and stability to the region, but would increase the tension and usher in permanent instability to the region. Such a state would immediately ally itself with and become a client of rivals and enemies of America such as Iran, would harm American, Israeli, and even Arab interests. A Palestinian State would be a tailwind to insurgent terrorists in Iraq. It would provide Russia and possibly China and North Korea with a foothold in the eastern flank of the Mediterranean at the expense of vital US interests.

The history of the PA’s Abu Mazen tells us something important about the likely character of a Palestinian state. Abu Mazen who will be heading this state is afraid to call for elections in the Palestinian Authority out of fear that Hamas would gain control. In other words, he lacks public support even now. Besides that, he is a graduate of Moscow University (Ph.D. thesis: Holocaust Denial) and it was he who managed the logistics of the Munich Massacre of eleven Israeli athletes in 1972. Abu Mazen is one of the engineers of contemporary Palestinian hate education, which has become a production line for terrorists.

This history is not that of a peace maker, and the PLO’s track record of inter-Arab treachery, non-compliance, corruption, repression and terrorism does not give evidence of a peaceful Palestinian state of the future. Since its makeover from a terrorist organization to a semi-independent entity in 1993, the Palestinian Authority, is led by PLO graduates of terrorist bases in Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, Lebanon, Syria and Tunisia

The proposed Palestinian State would inflict destruction upon America’s Arab allies and would enhance the fortunes of its rivals and enemies. Other states in the region know this. During the October 1994 signing of the Israel-Jordan peace treaty, top commanders of the Jordanian military urged their Israeli counterparts to stop short of a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River, “lest it destroy the [pro-US] Hashemite regime east of the River.”

Even more worrisome are the ties between the PLO and Iran. The PLO was one of the earliest allies of the Ayatollah Khomeini when he toppled the Shah of Iran in 1979. After his 2005 election to the chairmanship of the Palestinian Authority, Abu Mazen’s first visits were to Teheran and Damascus. A Palestinian state would extend Iran’s long terrorist arm, facilitating subversive operations against pro-Western Arab regimes. It would also enable Iran to enhance its intelligence and military operations in the region, including port facilities in Gaza.

The long and determined effort by Israeli leaders to promote a Palestinian state and to soften the Palestinian Authority’s harsh features cannot change the fact that a Palestinian State would add fuel to the fire of terrorism in the region. Besides all that, it is not hard to forsee rockets flying into Israel from Judea and Samaria as they did after the disengagement from Gaza in the south. In summation: we must remove the idea of a Palestinian state in our area from the Israeli agenda immediately if not sooner.

About the Author:Yair Shamir is chairman of the board of directors of Israel Aerospace Industries.

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8 Responses to “Likud-Beiteinu Leader: I Oppose a Palestinian State”

Yair, this is an excellent article. It should be sent to every major international newspaper and to all world leaders. My only question is, why has it been so long in time before someone put these pieces together? These facts just prove to the world that the American Administration has been working against Israel for a very long time and even more so now. Thanks again for your very informative article.

Mr. Shamir is following in the path of his late father, a rock-solid revisionist and a proponent of more of the same, in this case do-nothing. As a politician he must know that he has to propose an alternative and he doesn't, just like all other parties on Israel's right-wing do not propose viable alternatives. It is unfortunate that in this age and time, somebody like him will soon be in a position to lead one of the bigger parties in Israel. Yair Shamir's message is not one of hope for a better future but one of stagnation and strife.

There are really no viable options for peace as things now stand. Those non-Jews who occupy Gaza have never once since 1948 been amenable to peace with Israel. They use typical Islamic ploys of empty words and deception, until Israel is within their grasp. Jews who believe Hamas or Abbas, are already prey to the deception, or part of it.

It's not easy to make peace. Much of what you say is true and yet it is necessary to build a new relationship with Palestinians that creates two states including a demilitarized Palestine with
Israel retaining long term military control over the Jordan Valley to insure security.

Who would not prefer chronic spasmodic warfare to an enforceable peace with the neighbors? Who would not support Netanyahu's endless humiliation of moderate Palestinians like Abbas, resulting in elevation of Hamas which was prostrate when he took office four years ago? Who would not insist on settling these matters on the basis of which tribe had the matzoh and hummus franchises in Samaria 3500 years ago?
Answer: Those who recognize the people running Israel today as the most foolish Jews ever to walk the earth.

Anyone who thinks Prime Minister Netanyahu, in order to improve relations with the U.S., should succumb to American pressure in return for a U.S. incentives package and extend the freeze of Jewish construction in Judea and Samaria is either mistaken or misguided.